What to wear to ride when you don't ride?

[LaMadrilena]

I haven't ridden for 20 years! This afternoon I'm going pony trekking with DD3 (short route and can be cut if she doesn't enjoy it). So I obviously have no riding gear. Can anyone advise the best trousers/footwear?

Options are jeans/leggings, and trainers/walking shoes/ trendy ankle wellies with smooth sole and low heel.

Can I be safe and comfortable and not look like an arse? Any advice appreciated!

My go to non-riding but around the yard clothes are: wellies in winter (thermal Aigle ones), skinny jeans or walking trousers + varying layers of gilets/riding jacket/ridgeline coat.
Walking shoes in summer.
If you are going pony trekking then walking shoes will be best.
Trainers should never be worn around horses as they don't give enough protection (even though many people do in summer especially).

Walking shoes and leggings, so long as they are thick and close fitting. Make sure the yard fits your hats properly. Have a lovely time.

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to go with leggings and walking shoes then. DD will be in trainers as she doesn't have much else! I'm very excited. DD has done 1 half hour ride in her life and absolutely loved it, still talking about "her" pony six months later!

Leggings and wellies ,

It's dangerous for her to ride in trainers. Hopefully the yard will have some proper boots for her to wear. If you're leading the pony it doesn't really matter what you wear, but you need flat, closed toe shoes in case you get trodden on.

For your DD does she have anything with a heel eg wellies to prevent the foot slipping through the stirrup? If she fell off, her foot could get caught in the stirrup and she could be dragged. Unlikely with trekking at a slow speed though. (Do check there is at least half an inch either side of her foot and the inside edge of the stirrup so if she falls her foot can fall out easily and isn't trapped)
If not can you ask locally if she can borrow some riding boots in her size?

Dd would be better off in wellies or school shoes than trainers. Anything with a heel.

Ok, she does have some short wellies with a thick sole/grip, maybe those would be better?

I appreciate the everyone's advice. The place we're going is very professional so no doubts re helmets, but it's Spain, so H&S is generally a bit more... relaxed!

Definitely don't want a sole with grip either as that could also cause the foot to get stuck in the stirrup. Riding boots have a smooth sole with a small heel so something similar to that would be ideal.

We have ridden! DD now asleep in the car having had a ball riding a little hairy thing called Oreo and telling her lif story to the poor girl leading her. She even got to trot. We may have to make this a regular thing, in which case I will get down to Decathlon and get some proper gear!

Great news! Decathlon is great for riding kit. Join the local FB groups for equestrian activities in the area. People are always wanting to get rid of boots, jods etc that have been outgrown. Never, ever buy hats or body protectors second hand though.

Vinted is also great for jodhpurs.